Suncadia Resort is building a long, scenic staircase _ 19 stories, all the way down to the Cle Elum River.

Washington's largest mountain hotel, 80 miles east of Seattle near the town of Roslyn, perches on a bluff above the river. Resort guests could walk down to the river on trails, but by Nov. 1 should have a direst staircase.

It sounds like another recreation opportunities at Washington's closest resemblence of Sunriver Resort in Oregon.

Sunriver is a year-round mountain resort community. It broke ground in July on the staircase project, which it calls 1,000 Steps.

The 21 flights of stairs will connect the Lodge to the river, with an elevation change equivalent to the height of a 19-story building. The 379 stair steps will provide resort guests and homeowners with convenient access to river activities and a scenic walkway.

“The 1,000 Steps project enhances access to the Cle Elum River and complements the abundance of outdoor activities offered year-round at Suncadia,” said Roger Beck, managing director of Suncadia, in a statement.

The new project stairs made from colored concrete. It will be dark sky compliant at night, with LED low lighting fixtures illuminate the walkway without detracting from the night sky. Four expanded landing areas will provide seating and views overlooking the river valley.

At the base of the stairs, a trail connects to Riverfront Park, providing more convenient access to river activities and pedestrian access to the Lodge from Suncadia’s Tumble Creek neighborhood.

The project is expected to take three months with completion slated for Nov. 1, just prior to Suncadia’s annual Winterfest celebration, which will take place from Thanksgiving to mid-January 2014.

The 1,000 Steps complement Suncadia’s 6,400 acres of recreation, lodging and dining offerings. Suncadia is the only resort of its kind to feature championship golf on two resort courses – Rope Rider (by Peter Jacobsen of Portland) and Prospector (by Arnold Palmer) – and a winery within its boundaries, Swiftwater Cellars, which crushes grapes on-site and offers premium Swiftwater Cellars’ wines.